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Smokey Purple Eyes Tutorial

7:16 PM

I used to be very intimidated by smokey eyes because I didn't know if it would overwhelm my Asian features. Since I ususally wear pretty natural makeup, I made it a goal to conquer my smokey eye fears! After much experimentation, I found a technique I really like.

Start off with a clean face. Apply your basic face makeup such as concealer, foundation, and blush. Apply UDPP or any shadow primer to your eyelids.

Next, take your eyeliner and cover your entire lid under the crease. If you wear eyelid tape, cover all of the tape and a little bit above it too. It doesn't have to be perfect at this point since it's just a base. A black MAC paint pot works for this step too.

Cover your entire lid under the brow bone with the purple shadow. Add shadow along the bottom lids too.
Take the black shadow and apply it in a modified oval shape that goes up on the outer edges. Blend the black shadow line into the eyeliner base and also blend the top into the purple.
Next, add the Opal shadow as a highlighter under the brows. Add a touch of white shadow to the inner corner of your eyes and in the center of the highlighter color for an extra pop. Take your black pencil liner and line the bottom lash line tapered 3/4 of the way in. You can blend the line with a q-tip. Also, fill in your brows with a dark grey shadow as it helps to frame the smokey shadow.
Curl lashes and add mascara. I use Max Factor Waterproof Lash Perfection (for holding curl) for my top lashes and non-waterproof (no clumps) for my bottom lashes.
Here's the finished look:

You can switch out the purple for any color, but this would be a great look for prom makeup or going out clubbing. Remember to keep your lips pink or neutral since you want to keep your face in balance. If you have strong eyes, go easy on the lips and if you are doing bright red lips, keep a natural eye. I also love wearing a grey or light hazel lens with this look since it really brings out the colors. If you try it, send me pictures because I'd love to see your results. Good luck!

plee: It does help to have the tope of the liner line to be a little smudgey, but it doesn't have to be. You'll blend it later with the black shadow anyway. I think this would be perfect for a lavendar dress! It's not too dark because prom is an evening event and you want your makeup to look special, not what you wear everyday. :)

Anonymous: My eyebrows are naturally...medium. I have full brows but they aren't thick so I have uneven spots that I fill in with shadow. I used a charcoal colored shadow instead of a straight black because I didn't want them to be too harsh. I hate eyebrow pencils! When I wear brown shadows I sometimes use a dark brown on my brows instead, which also gives a softer look without having to bleach.

This looks like a smokey eye look I can actually do, coz usually I just look bashed if I try lol.

Thanks very much Jen!!

This is just a thought, but I was thinking that maybe you could just make posts with FOTDs, since tutorials take so much effort, but FOTDs are fun + easy, and we can see some different color combinations/styles hehe.

thanks for the tutorial blisskiss! i'm not very good at make-up so i find these tutorials very helpful. i'm definitely going to try this make-up when i have some time. if i don't do it too badly i might send to you the results ;)

This is a pretty smokey eye! I have monolids and all my smokey eye attempts look like I've been punched, but I think I'll try this one. I noticed that you have eyelid tape on for this tutorial; do you think it'll turn out as good without the tape?

Fiona: It might take a teeny bit of tweaking, just make sure that the part of your monolid that folds under (if yours does) is all black and when you open your eyes it looks like my pics when my eyes are open. It's like doing thicker eyeliner on monolids...even if you can't see the thick line, others will when you blink. Definitely give it a try and I'd love to see your results!

anonymous: asians are in no way limited to neutrals. my favorite colored eyeshadows to use are purple and green! a little extra pop of color never hurt anyone. :)

connie: if your dark shadow falls on your bottom lids or cheeks, try dusting loose translucent powder below your eyes and on your cheeks before you put on the shadow. when you are done with your eye makeup, use a clean brush to brush the loose powder away so your face is clean.

anonymous: I bought my tape from a local asian beauty supply store but you can also buy it online.

eskimo: Aww! I don't think you should give up though! Just be careful not to make the black too high above your eye when you are facing forward. That way, it doesn't look TOO dramatic. Take baby steps. You can do it! :)

anonymous: I use a sony cybershot from 5 years ago! Just make sure to use the macro setting (flower) on your digital cam and hold your hand very still. Also, usually your cam will auto focus if you push the button half-way, so do that before you press all the way down. :)

Hey! I found you from Soompi while looking for eye makeup tutorials and I have to say, this tutorial worked really well for me. I did this for my formal eye makeup (replacing the black with dark blue and purple with light blue, and fake eyelashes) and it looked great :D

Looking through all your other tuts to see interesting ones for future use ^_^ keep up the good work :D

About me

Hi, I'm Jen! I've been blogging and making youtube videos since 2008 and have loved encouraging others to feel beautiful in their own skin ever since. I hope you enjoy my beauty tips and reviews, style inspiration, and a bit of my life as a wife and mother!